Pilgrim's Pride cited by OSHA after worker's death

CANTON, Ga. -- Pilgrim's Pride Corp. has received eight safety violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a worker died at the company's Canton facility.

The citations include two repeat safety violations, twoother-than-serious safety violations and four serious safety violations,which occur when there are hazards that could easily result in seriousinjury or death.

Christopher Chin was killed while trying to remove a piece of cardboard from a hopper at the Cherokee County poultry plant in October 2012.

"A tragic loss resulted from equipment that could easily have been guarded," OSHA Atlanta-East Area Office director Bill Fulcher said of Chin's death. "Establishing safety and health programs that identify and remove hazards before a worker gets injured or sick goes to the very core of providing a safe and healthful workplace."

Pilgrim's Pride faces $58,755 in fines for six of the eight violations.

The company has 15 business days to comply, request a conference with OSHA or contest the findings.